Engine Block number "56"

[Gary - K7GLD]

EXTREME caution is certainly recommended!

 

[GLASMITHS]

If you had not put the smiley on----

Some on a post several months back purchased a re-man unit (block) and when he took the pan off for some reason staring him right in the face it said remanufactored in China, or something to that affect. It came down to the old story of "we out source to different suppliers, blah, blah, blah.



Reading an article about machine tools and such manufactoried over there, the gist was that as long as a Co. kept a close watch on them and enforced the specs there was little or no problems. The problems with a lot of the tools we import are not to spec and the main manufactor outsources to mom and pop, so the quality goes down hill.



Just my 3c

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

One thing I noticed in the pointed to website, was the LARGE number of applications various versions of the VP series of pumps are used in... Since there are some readily apparent deficiencies in the basic design of the pump as it now exists, maybe there is hope that it's relatively wide application will motivate some interprising outfit to refine the design into something more reliable... I personally, am rather turned off by bosch's EXTREMELY proprietary stance where parts and repairs for the VP44 are concerned - we could certainly USE a wider based source of knowledge, repair and replacement for these pumps, as fragile as they are compared to other pump types...

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by Gary - KJ6Q



Since there are some readily apparent deficiencies in the basic design of the pump as it now exists, maybe there is hope that it's relatively wide application will motivate some interprising outfit to refine the design into something more reliable...

Gary what's the failure rate on the VP44's? How does that compare to the industry average? Just want to see where the CTD fuel supply system stands compared to the industry.

 

[jwilliams3]

Praise for the VP44.



Give the little pump some credit, it handles all of our manipulations and extra duty cycle with our electronic fueling boxes!



And how many are running with dead lift pumps?



--Justin

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

"Gary what's the failure rate on the VP44's? How does that compare to the industry average? Just want to see where the CTD fuel supply system stands compared to the industry. "



For sure, the greatest contributing factor in premature failure of the VP44 is the lift pump - and as Pit Bull undoubtedly suspects, *I* don't have specific info on actual failure rates of the VP44 as compared to past pumps used in the Cummins - but we all would have to be deaf, dumb and blind to have NOT seen in these very threads sufficient failures to make our OWN educated judgement as to the inadequacies of the VP 44 as compared to previously used types...



NOR is an injection pump that relies so heavily upon an external lift pump in order to survive, a GOOD design - and who among us hasn't heard of the internal design of the VP44 in respect to the specific part most often responsible for pump failures, to not acknowledge poor design/materials/assembly when it's staring them in the face?



Most commonly used, and properly designed diesel injector pumps can be expected to last as long as the engine it supplies - I seriously suspect FEW VP44's will live beyond 200,000 miles - and would be GLAD to be proven wrong!



OR, does ANYONE here wanna stand tall, and claim the VP44 is as durable and reliable as those used before it came along?



We have also seen direct quotes from sources closely allied with Cummins stating that the VP44 was at best an interim pump used primarily to meet various EPA requirements as applied to the 24 valve fuel management until the next generation of EPA-mandated Cummins diesels were produced, and that those "sources" were rather disappointed with the durability and reliability of the VP44 in actual use BECAUSE OF their unusually high failure rate... .



Sorta reminds me of DC's past efforts with their infamous automatic trannies - and ANY who suggest those trannies - OR the VP44 are as reliable as we like or deserve, are kidding themselves!

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by Gary - KJ6Q

[B

*I* don't have specific info on actual failure rates of the VP44 as compared to past pumps used in the Cummins - but we all would have to be deaf, dumb and blind to have NOT seen in these very threads sufficient failures to make our OWN educated judgement as to the inadequacies of the VP 44 as compared to previously used types...

[/B]

I know (think) it is not as dependable as the P700 based on posts I have read, just wondering if you had the information on how it compares to the diesel industry as a whole? Hey the average man is suppose to live to be like "72" some take care of themselves and die when they are "32" some abuse themselves and live to be "80"??? I have started threads asking how many members have had their VP44 die. Get around 7-8 yes votes, now that is out of several thousand members. Most members bomb their trucks and don't baby them. I wonder how the 03's are going to do? I know the Ford PSD had a lot of problems with their common rail injection system. I guess its like life you just have to take your chances

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I suggest that if a *comparison* of failure rates is what you're interested in, a poll listing the several recent pump types, and failures is the way to go - keeping in mind the relative numbers of various pumps out on the road...



I can tell ya fer sure, I've read about FAR more VP44 failures here than ALL of the others combined!



I also would suggest, there is absolutely NO way I am aware of where you're likely to find actual service department totals of failures of the various pump types - It's a cinch that neither Cummins OR DC are ever gonna make them public - that is why THIS board is such a valuable resource in at least getting SOME insight into those numbers...

 

[gearhead442]

Bringing back a dead thread here! I was reading this and it stated that the 56 blocks were NOT used until 2002?? I have a 1999 Ram 2500 Sport with the 56 Block in it. Truck was made in 11/98 in St. Louis MO. Did they offer the 56 block this early, or do you think this is a replacement motor?? Any info would be greatly appreciated!

 

[DavidC]

Bringing back a dead thread here! I was reading this and it stated that the 56 blocks were NOT used until 2002?? I have a 1999 Ram 2500 Sport with the 56 Block in it. Truck was made in 11/98 in St. Louis MO. Did they offer the 56 block this early, or do you think this is a replacement motor?? Any info would be greatly appreciated!

More than likely a replacement. My 99 came with a 53 and replaced with a 56.

Dave

 

[Bob4x4]

I have seen 56 in 98's

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

56s originally didn't show up until at least late 2001, when the cracking 53 block issue was beginning to become known.

 

[JLight]

Gary no numbers huh.

If there is no pattern number its a Mexican block.

Even Better.



--Justin

Jwilliams you are correct. My son in laws has a illegal Mexican block lol. Very desireable. My sons 01 has a 55 block.

 

[SnoKing]

Old Blue, our old 2001.5 built in May of 2001 had a 56 block. SnoKing

 

[JLight]

Jwilliams you are correct. My son in laws has a illegal Mexican block lol. Very desireable. My sons 01 has a 55 block.

And my new to me 01 dually has a Mexican block also